On February 11, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The history of this day begins in 1858, when Our Lady appeared to a young girl, Bernadette, in Lourdes, France. Through some appearances, Mary revealed herself as “the Immaculate Conception”.
Since this time and on, countless are the pilgrimages of people to this holy and healing place, coming around the world, sick in body and spirit, to pray and to find a cure.
For 57 years, on the first week of May, the streets of Lourdes are crowded even with pilgrims of the Organization of the Order of Malta.
Even this year, volunteers, the sick, and members of the Order from 40 countries were part of the 57th pilgrimage of the Order of Malta, pilgrimage which goes with their mission “Witness of Christianity and assistance for the needy”. There were 16 participants from the Albanian Organization of the Order of Malta, and two sick people among the pilgrims.
The Albanian group was led by the president of the Order, Mons. Lucjan Avgustini, and the spiritual leader, Fr. Gazmend Tinaj.
During their stay in Lourdes, the members of the Albanian Organization of the Order of Malta were part of the pilgrimage program. The international Mass, which was celebrated in the Basilica of St. Pius X, the processions and joint prayers held during three days, were attended by 25,000 pilgrims of the Order of Malta from around the world.
It was a wonderful experience for Albania Organization of the Order of Malta and in particular for the two disabled people, who were part of our group.
